Closure cap for mounting on a liquid container

ABSTRACT

A closure cap, preferably a screw closure cap, for mounting on a liquid container includes at least a preferably recloseable pouring opening, a receiving element for receiving at least one dispensing body, e.g. a tablet, wherein the receiving element is permeable to a liquid so as to allow the at least one dispensing body to come into contact with the liquid, and an opening for introducing the at least one dispensing body into a receiving volume or for removing it from the receiving volume. In an operating state of the closure cap, the receiving element can be brought through the opening both from the receiving volume into a loading position for changing the dispensing body and also into the receiving volume to a dispensing position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a closure cap, preferably a screw cap,for mounting cm a liquid container, preferably a bottle, more preferablya PET bottle, wherein the closure cap at least comprises

-   -   a preferably recloseable spout opening,    -   a receiving element for receiving at least one dispensing body,        preferably at least one tablet, wherein the receiving element is        permeable to a liquid in order to allow the at least, one        dispensing body to come into contact with the liquid,    -   an opening for introducing the at least one dispensing body into        a receiving volume or for removing it from the receiving volume.

The present invention also relates to a dispensing body, preferably atablet for mixing with a liquid which is situated in a liquid containersealed with the closure cap in accordance with the invention.

The invention finally relates to a system containing at least oneclosure cap in accordance with the invention and at least one dispensingbody in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In order to enable the intake of liquid on the road or during sports,drinking bottles are known, especially drinking bottles with a closurecap. The drinking bottles usually comprise a thread onto which theclosure caps are screwed. The threads are standardized and the number ofthe different standardized threads of said drinking bottles is low.These bottles can be prefilled on the one hand, e.g., with mineralwater, which can also be mixed with flavors, or with an isotonicbeverage. On the other hand, bottles can be concerned which aredesignated to receive a liquid mixed by the user as required. In thiscase, effervescent powders in powder form or tablet form are availablein addition to fruit juice syrups.

It is disadvantageous in both cases that the user is fixed to thespecific beverage mixture for the entire duration of use of thebeverage, i.e. between the start and the end of the consumption of thebeverage, which means the user is no longer able to change the flavorduring the consumption of the beverage, because the liquid stillcontained in the bottle only comprises the once selected flavor.

However, not only the desire for a specific flavor can change during thestart and the end of the consumption of the beverage. If the user hasdecided on a non-isotonic beverage for example and wishes to have anisotonic beverage after a specific period of time in which the user haspracticed sports, this is also no longer possible with the liquid stillpresent in the bottle.

In the case of preparing the beverage by means of effervescent tablets,the use of chemicals for dissolving the effervescent tablet is required,which means the use of entirely natural substances for preparing thebeverage is not possible in this case, which can be regarded asdisadvantageous.

It may further occur with respect to effervescent powders and alsoeffervescent tablets that the powder or the tablet is not dissolvedcompletely and portions of the powder or the tablet reach the user'smouth, which is perceived as highly unpleasant.

Incomplete dissolution can also be caused by sub-optimal dosing,especially an excessive concentration of the effervescent powder ortablet. Maintaining the correct dosage is usually not always easybecause the specifically existing quantity of liquid needs to beconsidered in mixing the powder or the tablet with the liquid, which isusually water.

These disadvantages can be remedied at least in part according to U.S.2010/0012193A1. It describes a liquid container with a closure cap whichis formed in three parts, i.e. a tablet container, a container lid and aclosure cap closure. The container lid must be screwed off andsubsequently screwed on again for the insertion of a tablet into thetablet container. It is disadvantageous that the container lid can bedropped or lost.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closurecap for liquid containers which allows admixing flavors and/or nutrientsand/or dietary supplements and/or medical compounds into a liquid thatcan be received in the liquid container by avoiding the aforementioneddisadvantages. In particular, simple handling shall be guaranteed whichallows a simple exchange of the flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietarysupplements. Furthermore, dosing problems, especially too highconcentrations of flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplements inthe liquid, shall be prevented. The possibility for avoiding chemicalsshall further be provided in this case, so that natural substances canbe used for admixing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a closure cap, preferably a screw cap, formounting on a liquid container, preferably a bottle, more preferably aPET bottle, wherein the closure cap at least comprises

-   -   a preferably recloseable spout opening,    -   a receiving element for receiving at least one dispensing body,        preferably at least one tablet, wherein the receiving element is        permeable to a liquid in order to allow the at least one        dispensing body to come into contact with the liquid,    -   an opening for introducing the at least one dispensing body into        a receiving volume or for removing it from the receiving volume.

It is provided that the receiving element can be actuated in theoperating position of the closure cap and can be brought through theopening both from the receiving volume to a loading position forchanging the dispensing body and also to a dispensing position in thereceiving volume.

The dispensing body can thus be exchanged without having to separate theclosure cap from the liquid container. The receiving element can thuslaterally be actuated on the closure cap, e.g. in the direction normallyto the longitudinal axis of the closure cap. The opening is alsosituated laterally on the closure cap. In the loading position, theopening is open for introducing the dispensing body, the receivingelement is removed at least partly from the receiving volume, so that adispensing body situated on or in the receiving element can be removedand/or a dispensing body can be placed on or into the empty receivingelement (or she receiving element can be exchanged entirely). In thedispensing position, the opening for introducing the dispensing body isclosed. Liquid which flows from a liquid container into the closure capattached thereto can only exit, then from the closure cap through thespout opening or through a mouthpiece attached thereto. The opening forintroducing or removing the dispensing body is then also closed in aliquid-tight manner.

The liquid container, which is sealed with the closure cap in accordancewith the invention and is preferably formed as a PET bottle, comprises aconventional spout or bottle opening, which is sealed by the closure capin the operating position. The closure cap preferably concerns a screwcap which fits all standardized water bottles, or it is possible to usethe low number of differently standardized types of bottle threads withthe low number of different closure caps. The closure cap is usuallyprovided with a mouthpiece which seals the spout opening of the closurecap and can be transferred from a closure position or closed position toa release position or open position, preferably by displacing themouthpiece. In the closed position, no liquid can pass through theclosure cap via the mouthpiece. In the operating position, securestorage of the liquid in the liquid container is enabled with theclosure cap in accordance with the invention, even when it istransported or carried along by the user during sports activities. Inthe release position, liquid can pass through the closure cap and theuser is thus able to drink.

The receiving element is arranged and releasably fixed in the dispensingposition within the receiving volume, which in addition to the walls ofthe receiving element is bounded by the inner walls of the closure cap.This arrangement allows that liquid flows through the receiving elementprimarily during the drinking process when the liquid container isguided to the mouth of the user. If at least one dispensing body isarranged in the receiving element, liquid flows around the same duringdrinking and can supply substances, especially flavors and/or nutrientsand/or dietary supplements and/or medical compounds, to the liquid, i.e.a mixture occurs with the liquid directly before the user actuallydrinks the mixture. A too high concentration of the desired substancesin the liquid can thus principally be prevented.

Notice must be taken in this respect that after removing the liquidcontainer (the bottle) after the drinking process a specific portion ofthe liquid will generally flow back into the liquid container from thereceiving element. A specific proportion of the aforementioned,substances can be transferred to the remaining liquid situated in theliquid container, which needs to be considered in the configuration ofthe dispensing body or its dispensing characteristics.

In order to prevent that the dispensing body drops out of the receivingvolume, the receiving volume (irrespective of the specific shape of thereceiving volume) is preferably enclosed on all sides. Permeability forliquid is provided in this case, which can be realized by small openingsfor example, so that an enclosure on all sides of the receiving volumeis still present. The enclosure of the receiving volume on all sides canbe provided by the receiving element itself or by the receiving elementin cooperation with another part of the closure cap.

In order to achieve cost-effective production of the closure cap, thereceiving element and/or other parts of the closure cap can be made ofplastic.

The permeability of the receiving element for the liquid is realized ina preferred embodiment of the liquid container in accordance with theinvention in such a way that the receiving element comprisesthrough-openings, which are preferably arranged in a lattice-like orgrid-like manner. It is thus further reliably prevented that thedispensing body or parts of the dispensing body reach the liquidcontainer after drinking.

Potential contact of the dispensing body with the liquid already priorto drinking principally depends on the arrangement of the receivingelement in the closure cap. Contact can be prevented in the case of aperpendicularly standing liquid container when the receiving element isentirely situated in a volume formed by the closure cap. This means thevolume that is bounded on the one hand by the closure cap and on theother hand by an imagined surface area which is bounded on its part byan edge of the closure cap. Said imagined surface area is actually freefrom material in order to enable the connection of the closure cap withthe liquid container, especially in order to enable it to be screwedonto said container. This means that in this case contact of the closurecap only occurs during tilting of the bottle, as performed by the userduring the drinking process. It is thus accordingly provided in apreferred embodiment of the liquid container in accordance with theinvention that the entire receiving element is arranged in thedispensing position in a volume formed by the closure cap.

In order to ensure that the receiving element does not drop out of theclosure cap in the loading position and is lost or soiled, it isprovided in a further preferred embodiment of the liquid container inaccordance with the invention that the receiving element is fastened tothe closure cap, preferably releasably fixed thereto. If the receivingelement can be drawn similar to a drawer from the closure cap, asecuring means could be provided which during normal use prevents thefull extraction and can be overcome by specific measures for the purposeof cleaning the receiving element for example. One embodiment of theinvention provides that the opening can be closed in a liquid-tightmanner by the receiving element in the operating position of the closurecap (in order to enable the introduction of the at least one dispensingbody into a receiving volume or the removal of said body from saidreceiving volume). In this case, no separate closure is required forthis opening; the receiving element itself is used as the closure forthe opening. In particular, a liquid-tight region of the receivingelement in the dispensing position of the receiving element can form, aportion of the jacket surface of the closure cap, i.e. the externallyvisible surfaces of the closure cap and the receiving element thereforecontinuously converge into each other. As a result, the receivingelement forms a common outer surface with the closure cap, and there areno projections or depressions where dirt can accumulate.

It is obvious that it would also be possible to close the opening with aflap or a slide fixed to the closure cap once the receiving element hasbeen brought to the dispensing position.

The actuation of the receiving element can advantageously be configuredin such a way that the receiving element is displaceable relative to theclosure cap, especially along a straight line. The receiving element canthus be pulled out from the closure cap similar to a drawer or it can bepushed into said cap. The direction of displacement can especially benormally to the longitudinal axis of the closure cap rotational axis inthe case of substantially rotationally symmetrical closure caps oridentical to the rotational axis of the bottle on which the closure capis fastened, or the direction in which the liquid enters the closurecap). Respective guides for the translatory movement such as depressions(grooves) or bulges can be provided on the inner side of the closurecap.

Alternatively, the receiving element can be twistable relative to theclosure cap, especially about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axisof the closure cap.

Combinations of translatory and rotational, movement of the receivingelement during insertion into or extraction from the closure cap canalso be considered.

An especially simple and convenient filling of the receiving element canbe realized in that the receiving element is formed like a drawer, whichcan be pushed from the outside into the corresponding opening in theclosure cap and can also be pulled out again from the correspondingopening. This means that for filling the receiving element it is pulledout of the corresponding opening, at least one dispensing body is placedin the receiving element, and the receiving element is then pushed backinto the corresponding opening again. One receiving element is thereforepreferably provided, which comprises a bottom surface and a jacketsurface (but no top surface which sears the receiving element), whereinthrough-openings are arranged on the bottom surface. A further elementwith through-openings for a liquid is arranged between the receivingelement and the spout opening of the closure cap, so that the dispensingbody or parts thereof cannot reach the mouthpiece. In order tofacilitate the actuation (extraction and pushing in, and/or twisting) ofthe receiving element, a respective auxiliary apparatus can further beprovided on a jacket surface of the receiving element.

In order to achieve a simple and thus cost-effective production methodfor the container in this case, it is provided in a further preferredembodiment that the auxiliary apparatus comprises a depression and/or aprojection in the jacket surface. The depression or the projectionallows comfortable gripping of the container by the user.

If the receiving element comprises a top surface with through-openingsso that the receiving volume is completely surrounded by jacket surface,top surface and bottom surface, the receiving element with thedispensing body situated therein can be produced and sold as a unit. Thejacket surface, top surface and bottom surface can be connected to eachother in a non-detachable manner, so that the unit represents adisposable product which after use is replaced by a new unit consistingof the receiving element and dispensing body.

A dispensing body, preferably in form of a tablet, is provided forreceiving in a receiving volume of a closure cap in accordance with theinvention in order to ensure simple handling and an optimal dosingpossibility when using the closure cap in accordance with the invention.

Accordingly, the use of a dispensing body, preferably a tablet, isprovided in accordance with the invention in a receiving element of aclosure cap in accordance with the invention.

In order to enable producing a beverage when making contact with theliquid or to release flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplementsand/or medical compounds and thus mix them into liquid, it is providedaccording to a preferred embodiment of the dispensing body in accordancewith the invention that the dispensing body may comprise at least onewater-soluble element for producing a beverage and/or for releasing aflavor and/or a nutrient and/or a dietary supplement and/or a medicalcompound. The nutrients comprise carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.If several carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins are released, theproduction of an isotonic, beverage is thus possible.

In order to ensure that the dispensing body can be accommodated in thereceiving volume of the receiving element, the dispensing body comprisesa dispensing body volume which is not greater than a receiving volume ofthe receiving element. In particular, the dispensing body will havedimensions which enable the receiving element to be pushed through theopening. In other words, there must be a greatest cross-section of thedispensing body which is smaller than the cross-section of the openingof the closure cap, through which opening the receiving element can bebrought to a loading or a dispensing position.

In order to guarantee a spatially stable arrangement of thewater-soluble elements, which additionally contributes to ensuring thatno water-soluble elements can reach through the passage openings of theclosure cap, they can be arranged in a sponge for example which fillsthe dispensing body volume at least in part. It is accordingly providedin a preferred embodiment of the dispensing body in accordance with theinvention that the dispensing body comprises a sponge, preferably aplastic sponge. Said plastic sponge can especially preferably be formedin such a way that the liquid can easily reach the water-solubleelements, which can be achieved for example by a sponge fabric made ofcoarsely woven fibers.

In order to further improve handling, it is provided in a preferredembodiment of the dispensing body in accordance with the invention thatthe dispensing body comprises a liquid-permeable net-like fabric,especially game, which retains the dispensing body in a dispensing bodyshape which preferably corresponds to a receiving volume shape of thereceiving element. The thus stabilized dispensing body shape especiallyallows simple and convenient changing of the dispensing body after thedrinking process, once the water-soluable elements have already beendissolved entirely or at least partly. The variant in the embodiment inwhich the dispensing body shape corresponds to the receiving volumeshape of the receiving element further ensures an especially stablearrangement of the dispensing body in the receiving element or itsreceiving volume.

Especially good stabilization of the dispensing body shape incombination with simultaneously simple producibility can be achieved inthat the net-like fabric is arranged on an exterior side of thedispensing body.

In order to avoid the use of chemicals and only use natural substancesfor the preparation of the beverage, it is provided in a preferredembodiment of the dispensing body in accordance with the invention thatthe at least one water-soluble element concerns a ball arranged in thedispensing body volume, whose surface is formed by a water-soluble layerand whose interior is filled with a substance such as syrup or tea,which contains a flavor and/or a nutrient and/or a dietary supplementand/or a medical compound. The water-soluble layer is formed in thiscase from a water-soluble icing, especially sugar icing, whichcontributes to the avoidance of chemicals.

The time progression of the delivery of the substances, especially theflavors and/or the nutrients and/or the dietary supplements and/or themedical compounds, can be realized by several balls with different icinglayer thicknesses. The balls with the thinnest icing layer thicknessesrelease the substances first, whereas balls with thicker icing layerthicknesses do not release any substances yet. Only at a later point intime when the substances of the balls with the originally thinner icinglayer thickness have been consumed will the balls with the originallythicker icing layer thicknesses release the substances stored in them.

They can concern the same substances for example as before, so that atemporarily constant concentration of these substances is achieved inthe liquid. It is also possible to provide different substances in theballs, so that a beverage with fruit flavor is provided at first and anisotonic beverage at a later point in time. This allows athletes todrink different beverages over time by carrying along only one singleliquid container, wherein an isotonic beverage is also included in thiscase.

That is why it is provided in an especially preferred embodiment of thedispensing body in accordance with the invention that several balls withthe same substance or different substances are arranged in thedispensing body volume, wherein the water-soluble layers of the ballshave different layer thicknesses, especially in order to enablecontinuous dispensing of the substance or substances.

Finally, the closure cap in accordance with the invention and thedispensing body in accordance with the invention shall be regarded as asystem which allows simple production of beverages or the adding offlavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplements and/or medicalcompounds to a liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in closer detail by reference toembodiments. The drawings are exemplary and are used to explain theinventive concept, but shall not limit or illustrate the same withfinality, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an axonometric view of a bottle with a closure cap inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an axonometric view of a partly exposed section of thebottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an axonometric view of a receiving element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 snows an axonometric view of a further embodiment of a closurecap;

FIG. 5 shows an axonometric view of a partly exposed section of theclosure cap of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an axonometric view of a receiving element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows an axonometric view of a closure cap with a receivingelement with a semicircular jacket surface;

FIG. 8 shows an axonometric view of the closure cap of FIG. 7 from theside;

FIG. 9 shows an axonometric view of a first variant of the receivingelement of FIG. 7 with a top surface;

FIG. 10 shows an axonometric view of a second variant of the receivingelement of FIG. 7 without the top surface;

FIG. 11 shows an axonometric view of a closure cap with a narrowreceiving element;

FIG. 12 shows an axonometric view of the closure cap of FIG. 11 from theside;

FIG. 13 shows an axonometric view of a receiving element of FIG. 11 witha top surface;

FIG. 14 shows a horizontal sectional view through the closure cap ofFIG. 11 at the height of the receiving element;

FIG. 15 shows an axonometric view of a closure cap with a twistablereceiving element in the dispensing position;

FIG. 16 shows am axonometric view of the closure cap of FIG. 15 with atwistable receiving element in the loading position;

FIG. 17 shows an axonometric view of a third variant of the receivingelement of FIG. 6 with a top surface;

FIG. 18 shows an axonometric view of a partly exposed section of aschematically shown tablet, which can be accommodated in a receivingelement in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view through a ball of a tablet of FIG.7 which is filled with syrup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a liquid container in form of a bottle 5 with a closure cap7. The closure cap 7 is shown in an operating position 8, in which theclosure cap 7 seals a spout opening 9 of the bottle 5, The closure cap 7is screwed onto the bottle 5 by means of a thread 34 (see FIG. 2).Surface structures 35 (not shown) which have the form of indentations(see FIG. 4) can assist a user in fastening the closure cap 7 to thebottle 5.

The closure cap 7 is provided with a mouthpiece 33 which is shown inFIG. 1 in a closure position 11. In the closure position 11, the closurecap 7 is impermeable to a liquid 37, which is accommodated in the bottle5 and has a liquid level 38. The mouthpiece 33 can be brought from theclosure position 11 to a release position (not shown) by displacing themouthpiece 33 along a longitudinal axis 10 (see FIG. 2). In the releaseposition, the closure cap 7 is permeable to the liquid 37 in order toallow the user to drink from the bottle 5.

The bottle 5 comprises interior walls 6, which jointly delimit a volume4 with the closure cap 7 in the operating position 8. A receivingelement 1 is arranged in accordance with the invention in said volume 4,which receiving element can be pushed into the closure cap 7. FIG. 2illustrates such an embodiment on the basis of an axonometric view of anexposed section of the closure cap 7. FIG. 3 shows the associatedreceiving element 1 which is pulled out of the closure cap 7. Thereceiving element 1 comprises a receiving volume 20 with anapproximately cylindrical receiving volume shape. The receiving element1 is only shown schematically in this case and will be explained belowin closer detail.

The receiving volume 20 allows accommodating at least one dispensingbody, preferably at least one tablet 2 (see FIG. 18), which can comeinto contact with the liquid 37 accommodated in the bottle 5, especiallyduring the drinking process. A beverage can thus be produced orsubstances such as flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplementsand/or medical compounds can be supplied to the liquid.

In the illustrated case, the receiving element 1 consists of a bottomsurface 16 and a jacket surface 17 which surrounds the bottom surface16. The bottom surface 16 comprises through-openings 15, which can beformed from a lattice for example. The receiving element 1 does notcomprise any top surface, i.e. it is upwardly open so that a tablet 2can be inserted simply from above. In order to ensure that the tablet 2or parts thereof cannot leave the receiving volume 20 in the upwarddirection towards the mouthpiece 33, a further element 13 withthrough-openings 15 for a liquid is arranged in the closure cap 7between the receiving element 1 (in the—closed-loading position) and thespout opening 9 (or the mouthpiece 33). The further element 13 isarranged in this case directly above the receiving element 1, so thatthe receiving volume 20 is enclosed on all sides and corresponds to thefree volume within the receiving element 1. The bottom element 16 andthe further element 13 are flat in this case and arranged in parallelwith respect to each other.

The liquid 37 can pass into the receiving volume 20 through thethrough-openings 15 of the bottom surface 16 and the element 13 at leastduring the drinking process and thus come into contact with the tablets2 situated in the receiving volume 20. As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thethrough-openings 15 are arranged in regular configuration, thusproducing a grid or lattice pattern. The through-openings 15 enable theproduction of a beverage or the dispensing of substances, especiallyflavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplements and/or medicalcompounds, from the tablets 2 to the liquid 37.

In order to ensure that the receiving element 1 can precisely assume itsdispensing position, guide devices are provided on the inner side of thejacket of the closure cap 7, i.e. a groove 14 in this case. Theactuation of the receiving element 1 is supported by an auxiliaryapparatus 18, i.e. a projection 19.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the closure cap 7, which canbe screwed onto all standardized water bottles, especially PET bottles,by means of the thread 34. In order to help the user to unscrew andscrew off the closure cap 7, the closure cap 7 has a surface structureshown in FIG. 4, which in this case is formed as fluting. Furthermore,the closure cap 7 of FIG. 4 comprises a cover 3 which is removable orcan be folded away, and by means of which the mouthpiece 33 can becovered, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows an axonometric view of the exposed section of the closurecap 7 of FIG. 4; the associated receiving element 1 is pulled out andshown in FIG. 6.

In contrast to the variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the closure cap 7 ofFIGS. 4 to 6 shows a greater extension along the longitudinal axis 10.This creates more space for the opening 12, which with respect to itsdimensions and shape is formed corresponding to the receiving element 1or its receiving volume 20 shown in FIG. 6.

In both embodiments, the receiving element 1 is entirely situated in avolume which is formed solely by the closure cap 7. This means a volumewhich on the one hand is bounded by the closure cap 7 and on the otherhand by an imaginary surface which is bounded on its part by an edge 40of the closure cap 7. Said imaginary surface is actually free frommaterial in order to enable the connection of the closure cap 7 with thebottle 5 (see FIG. 1), preferably by a screwed connection by means ofthe thread 34.

The receiving element 1 of FIG. 6 is formed in an approximatelycylindrical, manner and again comprises a bottom surface IS and a jacketsurface 17. The receiving element 1 can thus be pushed like a drawerinto the corresponding opening 12 of the closure cap 7 or be pulled outfrom said opening 12, even when the closure cap 7 is in the operatingposition. If the closure cap 7 is in the operating position 8, thereceiving element 1 is Inserted in this manner through the correspondingopening 12 into the closure cap 7 or removed therefrom. Accordingly, theuser need not unscrew the closure cap 7 from the bottle 5 for fillingthe receiving element 1 with tablets 2. The bottom surface 16 faces awayfrom the mouthpiece 33 when the receiving element 1 is pushed into thecorresponding opening 12 of the closure cap 7.

The receiving element 1 is only shown schematically in this case andwill be explained below in closer detail.

A (circular) element 13 with through-openings 15 which terminates thereceiving volume 20 is situated directly above the inserted receivingelement 1.

The receiving element 1 in FIG. 6 can also comprise a removable topsurface, which can be folded upwardly for example, and is provided withthrough-openings 15, so that the receiving volume 30 is enclosed on allsides by the receiving element 1 itself. The element 13 can then beomitted in this case.

The receiving element 1 for the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 5could also be arranged as in FIG. 17, where the receiving volume 20 iscompletely surrounded by the receiving element 1 itself, namely by thecylindrical jacket surface 17 which is impermeable to liquid and by thebottom surface 16 which is permeable to liquid, and by the top surface21. The element 13 in the closure cap 7 can be omitted again as a resultof the top surface 21. A dispensing body 2 could be inserted into thereceiving element 1 according to FIG. 17 prior to the closure on theproduction side and the receiving element 1 can be closed in anon-releasable manner. Once the dispensing body 2 is consumed or adifferent dispensing body is desired, a different dispensing body 1 witha different (e.g. unconsumed) dispensing body 2 is inserted.

In order to enable the convenient insertion of the receiving element 1into the opening 12 or the removal thereof from the opening 12, thereceiving element shown in FIG. 6 comprises an auxiliary apparatus 18 inform of a projection 19 on the jacket surface 17 on which the user canact on the receiving element 1. It is understood that the auxiliaryapparatus 18 can further comprise further elements, e.g. a depression(not shown) in the jacket surface 17.

In order to avoid endangering the tightness of the closure cap 7 whenthe receiving element 1 is inserted, no through-openings 15 are providedin the jacket surface 17, but only through-openings 15 in the bottomsurface 16.

FIG. 7 again shows a closure cap 7 of the same type as that of FIG. 4.The closure cap 7 is formed cylindrically in the region of the receivingelement 1. A receiving element 1 is provided in FIG. 7 however, whichseals the opening 12 in the dispensing position in a liquid-tight mannerby means of its jacket surface 17 which in this case is a part of thecylinder jacket, as shown in FIG. 8. The jacket surface 17 thus forms apart of the jacket surface 36 of the closure cap 7.

The receiving element 1 which fits FIG. 7 can consist, as in FIG. 9, ofthe semi-cylindrical jacket surface 17, a bottom surface 16 which ispermeable to liquid and a top surface 21 which is permeable to liquid,wherein the bottom and top surface 16, 21 adjoin the jacket surface 17of the receiving element 1, and adjoin the jacket surface 36 in thedispensing position when the receiving element 1 is completely insertedinto the closure cap 7. As a result, a dispensing body (tablet) 2, whichis situated in the receiving volume 20, is completely enclosed therein.The entire dispensing body 2, or parts thereof, cannot reach themouthpiece 33, which is covered in this ease by the cover 3.

As an alternative to FIG. 9, the receiving element 1 of FIG. 7 can alsobe formed without the top surface 21, as shown in FIG. 10. In this casehowever, a further element 13 with through-openings must be arranged inthe closure cap 7 between the receiving element 1 and the spout opening9 or mouthpiece 33, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 11 and 12 again show a closure cap 7 of the same type as that ofFIG. 4 and FIG. 7, wherein a receiving element 1 is shown here (see FIG.13) which does not assume the entire width of the closure cap 7. Thereceiving element 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in this case,wherein a part of the jacket surface 17 (which is a narrow side in thiscase) forms the liquid-tight termination of the opening 12 in the jacketsurface 36 of the closure cap. The remainder of the jacket surface 17 issituated within the jacket surface 36 in the dispensing position of thereceiving element 1.

The receiving element 1 comprises a liquid-permeable fiat top surface 21and a bottom surface 16. In order to ensure that the liquid can not flowpast the receiving element 1, a barrier (baffle plate) 33 is provided inthe interior of the closure cap 7 in the region of the height extensionof the receiving element 1, which barrier closes the cross-section ofthe closure cap 7 between the receiving element 1 (in the dispensingposition) and the jacket surface 36 of the closure cap 7 (see FIG. 14).Guides (bulges, grooves) can be attached to the barrier (baffle plate)33 and/or at further locations on the inner side of the closure cap 7,which guides interact with respective guides on the receiving element 1and along which the receiving element 1 can be pushed into the closurecap 7 or be extracted therefrom.

Guides can generally be provided on the receiving element 1 and/or onthe inner side of the closure cap 7 for all embodiments withdisplaceable receiving element 1.

The receiving element 1 in FIG. 13 could comprise an upwardly foldablecover surface 21, so that the dispensing bodies 2 can be changed. Itwould also be possible to produce receiving elements 1 as disposableproducts where the receiving volume 12 is not accessible and thedispensing body 2 is thus not removable (bottom surface 16 and topsurface 21 are non-releasably connected to the jacket surface 17), andthe entire receiving element 1 would have to be exchanged in order toinsert a different dispensing body 2.

The receiving element 1 in FIG. 13 could be formed without the topsurface 21, wherein the receiving volume 20 would then have to be sealedwith a further element 13 similar to FIG. 2.

FIGS. 15 and 16 again show a closure cap 7 of the same type as the oneof FIGS. 4, 7 or 11. The receiving element 1 is now twistably fastenedby means of a hinge 41 to the closure cap 7, which hinge is arranged inthis case parallel to the longitudinal axis 10 of the closure cap 7. Thehinge 41 could be fastened to a perpendicular web on the closure cap 7,which web is arranged outside of the jacket surface 36. The receivingelement 1 can be actuated by means of the projection 19, i.e. it can befolded out or twisted horizontally.

The receiving element 1 can now be arranged in such a way that itsjacket surface 17 surrounds it entirely (i.e. it has the shape of acylinder jacket in this case), and in the dispensing position (FIG. 15)the jacket surface 17 terminates at the top and bottom in a liquid-tightmanner with the jacket surface 36 of the closure cap 7. The opening 12of the closure cap would be shaped in the manner of a cylinder jacket inthis case, and in the operating position 8 of the closure cap 7 theentire jacket 17 of the receiving element 1 would seal it in aliquid-tight manner.

The receiving element 1 itself can surround the receiving volume 20again, by means of the top surface 21 and the bottom surface 16. Itcould then also be considered that the receiving element 1 is equippedon the production side already with a dispensing body 2, and the jacketsurface 17, the top surface 21 and the bottom surface 16 are connectedto each other in a non-releasable manner. The receiving element 1 wouldthen be a disposable product. The receiving element would then have tobe disengaged from the hinge 41 for changing the dispensing body 2 and anew receiving element 1 with a dispensing body 2 situated therein wouldhave to be mounted in the hinge.

The receiving element 1 can also be formed without the top surface 21.In this case however it is necessary to arrange a further element 13again between the receiving element 1 and the spout opening 9, similarto FIG. 2.

The receiving element 1 (and the jacket 36 of the closure cap 7) canalso be arranged as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In the case of FIG. 9, thehinge 41 would then act on a perpendicular end of the jacket surface 17.A dispensing body 2 could be inserted between the bottom surface 16 andthe top surface 21 in the loading position, where no jacket surface 17is present. In the case of FIG. 10, a dispensing body 2 can be placedconveniently from above on the bottom surface 16 as a result, of themissing top surface 21. A further element 13 in the closure cap 7 wouldthen terminate the receiving volume 20 at the top. The jacket surface 17would seal the opening 12 in a liquid-tight manner both in theembodiment according to FIG. 9 and also according to FIG. 10.

The receiving elements of FIGS. 4 to 16 can obviously also be used forother types of closures under respective adjustment of the closure capand the receiving element. A receiving element 1 that can be twisted outof the closure cap as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 or a narrower receivingelement 1 as shown in FIG. 13 could also be used for example for aclosure cap of FIG. 1.

Generally, all embodiments of receiving elements, irrespective ofwhether they are twistable or displaceable, can also be arranged in sucha way that they do not form any part of the jacket surface 36 of theclosure cap 7 in the dispensing position. For this purpose they wouldhave to be dimensioned in a smaller way normally to the longitudinalaxis. In this case, the opening 12 in FIG. 16 would be partly sealed forexample by the jacket surface 36 of the closure element 7 (as in FIG.8). The remaining opening 12 could be sealed in a liquid-tight manner bya flap (a slide, etc) which can be linked to the exterior side of theclosure cap 7 in order to prevent loss of the flap. The flap can form apart of the jacket surface 36 of the closure element.

In all embodiments where the opening 12 is sealed in a liquid-tightmanner by the receiving element 1 or a part of the receiving element 1(e.g. by a part of the jacket surface 17), a closure is provided on the(part of the) receiving element 1 which terminates with the closure, cap7 when the receiving element 1 is pushed into the closure cap 7. Theclosure can then overlap the closure cap 7 at both ends and latch intothe same. The same principle of the closure can be applied when theopening 12, as described above, is sealed by a separate flap.

Additional seals can be provided to produce tightness between the flapor receiving element 1 on the one hand and closure cap 7 or its jacketsurface 36 on the other hand.

FIG. 18 shows an axonometric view ox a partly exposed section of aschematically shown tablet 2, which can be arranged in a receivingelement 1 in accordance with the invention. In the case of theembodiment of the tablet 2 which is shown in FIG. 18. It has acylindrical snaps. This shape belongs to the variant of the embodimentof the receiving element 1 which is shown in FIG. 6. It can obviouslyalso be considered to arrange the tablet 2 of FIG. 18 in the receivingelement 1 of FIG. 3. On the other hand, the shape of the tablets 2 neednot fundamentally correspond to the receiving volume 20.

One condition which needs to be fulfilled in any case is that adispensing body volume 24 of the tablet 2 must not be greater than thereceiving volume 20.

In order to keep the tablet 2 permanently in the dispensing body shape22, the tablet 2 comprises a gauze 23 which is arranged on an exteriorside 26 of the dispensing body.

FIG. 18 further shows that the dispensing body volume 21 is filled insections by a plastic sponge 25. Balls 27 are also arranged in thedispensing body volume 21. The liquid 37 can advance through the plasticsponge 25 to the balls 27. The net-like fabric of the gauze 23 is alsopermeable to the liquid 37.

The balls 27 act as water-soluble elements in order to produce abeverage or release flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplementsand/or medical compounds, so that admixing to the liquid 37 can occur.For this purpose, the balls 27 are arranged according to thecross-sectional view according to FIG. 19. This means that each ball 27has a surface 23 which is formed by a water-soluble icing layer 23,which is preferably made of sugar. The icing layer 28 delimits aninterior 30 of the ball and has a specific icing layer thickness 31. Thesubstance to be added to the liquid 37 is arranged in the interior 30 ofthe ball, especially flavors and/or nutrients and/or dietary supplementsand/or medical compounds. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the interior 30of the ball is filled with syrup 32.

The release of the syrup 32 or its mixing with/addition to the liquid 37only occurs when the icing layer 23 with the icing layer thickness 31has been dissolved.

The icing layer thickness 31 can be provided with different thicknessesin different balls 27, so that the dissolution of the icing layer 28takes different lengths in time. The time progression of the admixing ofthe syrup 32 can be arranged accordingly. Furthermore, the differentballs 27 can contain different substances in their respective interiors30 of the balls. Some balls 27 can therefore contain syrup 32, whereasother balls 27 provide other substances, e.g. to provide an isotonicbeverage after a specific period of contact of the balls 27 with theliquid 37.

Furthermore, the balls 27 can be provided with different sizes, i.e.they can have differently large diameters as indicated in FIG. 18. Ininteraction with different icing layer thicknesses 31, it is thuspossible to release different quantities of the substances situated inthe interior 30 of the balls (e.g. syrups 32) depending on the durationof the contact of the balls 27 with the liquid 37.

It is finally also possible to arrange different substances (asexplained, above, not necessarily syrups 32) in differently large balls27 with different icing layer thicknesses 31. As a result, the timeprogression of the admixing of different quantities of differentsubstances to the liquid 37 can thus be determined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Receiving element-   2 Tablet (dispensing body)-   3 Cover-   4 Volume-   5 Bottle-   6 Inner wall of bottle-   7 Closure cap-   8 Operating position-   9 Spout opening-   10 Longitudinal axis-   11 Closure position-   12 Opening of the closure cap-   13 Further element with through-openings-   14 Groove-   15 Through-opening-   16 Bottom surface-   17 Jacket surface-   18 Auxiliary apparatus-   19 Projection-   20 Receiving volume-   21 Cover surface-   22 Dispensing body shape-   23 Gauze-   24 Dispensing body volume-   25 Plastic sponge-   26 Exterior side of the body-   27 Ball-   28 Icing layer-   29 Surface of the ball-   30 Interior of the ball-   31 Icing layer thickness-   32 Syrup-   33 Mouthpiece-   34 Thread-   35 Surface structure-   36 Jacket surface of the closure cap 7-   37 Liquid-   38 Liquid level-   39 Barrier-   40 Edge of the closure cap-   41 Hinge

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A closure cap (7), preferably a screw cap, formounting on a liquid container, preferably a bottle (5), more preferablya PET bottle, wherein the closure cap (7) at least comprises apreferably recloseable spout opening (9), a receiving element (1) forreceiving at least one dispensing body, preferably at least one tablet(2), wherein the receiving element (1) is permeable to a liquid (37) inorder to allow the at least one dispensing body (2) to come into contactwith the liquid (37), an opening (12) for introducing the at least onedispensing body into a receiving volume (20) or for removing it from thereceiving volume (20), wherein the receiving element (1) can be actuatedin the operating position (8) of the closure cap (7) and can be broughtthrough the opening (12) both from the receiving volume to a loadingposition for changing the dispensing body and also into the receivingvolume to a dispensing position, wherein the opening (12), which islocated laterally on the closure cap (7), can be sealed in aliquid-tight manner by the receiving element (1) in the operatingposition (8) of the closure cap (7).
 24. The closure cap (7) accordingto claim 23, wherein a liquid-tight region of the receiving element (1)forms a part of the jacket surface of the closure cap (7) in thedispensing position of the receiving element.
 25. The closure cap (7)according to claim 23, wherein the receiving element (1) is displaceablerelative to the closure cap (7), especially along a straight line. 26.The closure cap (7) according to claim 23, wherein the receiving element(1) is twistable relative to the closure cap (7).
 27. The closure cap(7) according to claim 23, wherein the receiving element (1) comprisesthrough-openings (15) which are preferably arranged in the manner of agrid or lattice.
 28. The closure cap (7) according to claim 23, whereinthe entire receiving element (1) is arranged in the dispensing positionin a volume formed by the closure cap (7).
 29. The closure cap (7)according to claim 23, wherein the receiving element (1) is fixed in theloading position to the closure cap (7), preferably detachably fastenedthereto.
 30. The closure cap (7) according to claim 23, wherein thereceiving element (1) has a bottom surface (16) and a jacket surface(17), wherein through-openings (15) are arranged on the bottom surface(16), and a further element (13) with through-openings (15) for a liquidis arranged between the receiving element (1) and the pouring opening(9) of the closure cap (7).
 31. The closure cap (7) according to claim30, wherein an auxiliary apparatus (18) is arranged on the jacketsurface (17) in order to facilitate actuation of the receiving element(1).
 32. The closure cap (7) according to claim 31, wherein theauxiliary apparatus (18) comprises a depression and/or a projection (19)in the jacket surface (17).
 33. The closure cap (7) according to claim30, wherein the receiving element (1) comprises a top surface (21) withthrough-openings (15), so that the receiving volume (20) is fullyenclosed by the jacket surface (17), top surface (21) and bottom surface(16).
 34. The closure cap (7) according to claim 23, comprising at leastone dispensing body, preferably a tablet (2).